He’s not exactly reverential when it comes to awards either, telling us, “The reason awards season was created was to sell movies. It really is not about ‘What shall we put in the vault?' It’s a promotional, publicity angle.”

Fincher’s first contact with the story came via the screenplay. Producer Scott Rudin contacted him to say he’d acquired the rights, and that Schindler’s List scribe Steve Zaillian would be writing a script and that he should read the book.

“So I didn’t read it…” laughs Fincher. “I waited until Steve had a script. I was fascinated that something that was so pervy had found its way into mass consciousness.”

“It’s tough. I didn’t choose to make this movie because it had a lot of ugliness in it, but it didn’t dissuade me in the slightest.”

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo opens on 26 December 2011.

For more from Fincher, Rooney Mara and Daniel Craig, get the new issue of Total Film Magazine, which is out on Thursday 24 November 2011!